Membership

Membership in GGBN is open to biodiversity biobanks and organizations that have an interest in biodiversity biobanks. Institutions, government agencies, and other scientific organizations that own and manage collections of non-human genomic samples, along with other organizations involved in genomic biodiversity may apply to the Executive Committee to become new Members or can be nominated by GGBN Members at any time. Membership in GGBN is by mutual agreement between the prospective Member and the Executive Committee. Prospective Members are expected to have interests in (1) genomic research and research infrastructure connected to non-human biodiversity, (2) interacting with other Members and the GGBN Secretariat, and (3) contributing to the achievement of GGBN’s goals in various ways. GGBN has three Membership categories for institutions and organizations: Observer members, Associate members, and Core members.

Observer Members

Institutional biodiversity biobanks and organizations that have an interest in biodiversity biobanks and biodiversity informatics and/or:

• Collect and contribute material to Core and Associate members in compliance with the relevant national/international laws and regulations;
• Support the goals of GGBN;
• Provide technical expertise to GGBN; and
• Participate in GGBN activities and Task Forces.

Associate Members

Institutional biodiversity biobanks that have initiated the process of becoming Core members and therefore:

• Have made a commitment to long-term preservation of genomic collections and associated data, for the purpose of providing access for research;
• Have an enterprise level data system that can provide data on a reliable basis;
• Are represented in an institutional registry of biodiversity biobanks; and
• Intend to prepare and contribute data to the GGBN Data Portal in compliance with the standards established by the relevant GGBN Task Force.

Core Members

Institutional biodiversity biobanks, that fulfill all the requirements of Associate membership and are also actively contributing data to the GGBN Data Portal in compliance with the standards established by the relevant GGBN Task Force.